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About this project

THE PREMISESHEPHERD is the tale of two brothers, bound in both blood and arms. Having hunted the fiercest of creatures in the world from an early age, the pair have found a peace in life, saving animals that would have once been slaughtered.

Their new life is not without dangers; old enemies, and bitter rivals are pitted against the brothers by a formidable foe: The Collector. His goal: to take back something he believes the brothers shouldn't have, something that they had supposedly killed -- the very last of the Honshu Wolves.

The collector tasks three of the worlds greatest hunters to take the head of the wolf and put an end to the brothers. The hunters from all around the world include a Japanese swordsman, a warrior woman built of Viking stock, and a Native American tracker who happens to be the last of his tribe.

Toss a plucky reporter into the mix and you've got a tale of intrigue and violence that spreads it's way through out 1930's Japan.

OUR TEAM

Nic J Shaw is a resident of Sydney, Australia. He has quickly risen up the ranks within the comic lettering community; working with companies like IDW (In The Dark and Imaginary Drugs), Black Mask, and Gestlat. When he isn’t lettering or writing comics he’s hanging out with his girlfriend of 6 years, Hayley and their Standard Schnauzer, Archer. You can contact Nic at nic.shaw@live.com, on twitter at @ShawLettering, or via his website shawlettering.com

Firas Janabi is an Australian writer based in Sydney. His script ’88 Dark has made the quarter finals in such competitions as scriptapalooza.com and bluecatscreenplay.com. His well-regarded novel ‘The Favour Men’ has had thousands of downloads from amazon. And the stories he creates in-between continue to entertain.

Bruno Oliveira is a Brazilian comic book artist. He started drawing at the tender age of 16, illustrating for gaming magazines such as Nintendo. His first comic work was for a publisher in Denmark; Kool Comics. Bruno has worked on creating sketch cards for DC Comics and has also helped complete several unannounced projects for movie producers. Most recently though Bruno has worked with Chris Lewis on the successful indy series DRONES, as well as a five page short for Nic J Shaw's Action Johnson.

WHY KICKSTARTER?
While Shepherd is an amazing saga, it’s a little left field; a 64 page graphic novel about two brothers in the 1930’s posing as world class hunters so they can rescue endangered animals; It’s not a book that was going to see the light of day at a larger publisher. But we believe in this story, we’re passionate about it, we’re excited to get it into your hands, and if you take a look at the art, I’m sure you’ll be excited too.

SHEPHERD is the kind of tale that Firas and I have wanted to tell since we started writing – It’s a very extraordinary story and it’s something we’d like to keep in the hands of readers for years to come. We believe in indy projects and we are excited to see that kickstarter is helping to give birth to some fantastic ideas.

PRINTS

Luke Parker

Artyom Trakhanov

JONATHAN BRANDON SAWYER

WHERE IS YOUR MONEY GOING?

Kickstarter is a service that relies heavily on trust and honesty, so to stick with those traits; I want to share a little about our cost breakdown. $17,000 may seem like a lot of money; well as most comic creators will tell you, making comics is expensive; this is no different for SHEPHERD. Your dollars will be going towards paying Bruno, paying our printer, and getting the book to you. Kickstarter also keep themselves and their workers funded by taking a small percentage off the top. In our case it's $850.

Shipping overseas from Australia is generally quite expensive ($20 to the US) But we’re charging you $15 (max) in shipping costs. The cost of shipping materials is included in the Kickstarter total ($500) This means we can ship books securely with full trust the book will reach you safe and sound.

We’ll be PRINTING on a gorgeous medium weightmatte stock with a nice heavy matte text stock cover with a varnish finish. The book will be perfect bound to give it a beautiful flush finish; this amazing print comes at a price, $3000 (incl shipping from our printer).And finally Bruno’s ART: art as gorgeous as this does come at a cost, and generally when making great comics, it’s this cost that hits the hardest. I can guarantee Bruno is well worth the price though, he’s an amazing artist who I’ve worked with previously, and he’s completed several jobs on time and to an exceptionally high standard.

DIGITAL OR DIGITAL DELUXE?Deluxe of course! The Digital Deluxe that comes with the physical copy of Shepherd will give you a look inside the making of our kick ass book! You'll get a whole bunch of process work from Bruno, Firas, and I, which will includes art from Bruno's Sketchbook, a short video from Firas and I talking about how we put this amazing story together, and a video of Bruno's entire process.

Bruno's awesome video will clock in close to an hour long and will cover his entire process, from layouts, to pencils, to inks, and to the final colours, all narrated by the man himself. It's a great addition to our kickstarter that will give you an insight into the mind of rising star.

OUR OTHER WORKAll
three of us have had previously published work, from online and physical
comics, to working with other creators on great books, and self-publishing
prose stories. So if you wanted to see what we’re capable of check out the
links below!

Risks and challenges

Of course there are always risks when publishing and producing a new product. Fortunately for you guys, we’re professionals! Both Bruno and I have been working in comics for several years.

I’ve worked with both GESTALT COMICS and IDW as a letterer, Bruno has completed work for DC and ARCANA, and we’ve both worked a slew of creator owned titles, including DRONES, DOC UNKOWN, ELEPHANT MAN, and the online comic ACTION JOHNSON.

Firas is budding screen writer as well as a self-published prose writer, he has several shorts available for purchase on Amazon; he’s also a nice dude.

Once this comic is funded, there are very minimal risks of it not being completed on time. Our script is completed, Bruno has started the art, we just need to pay Bruno, and get the book printed.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 25 or more
About $23

PHYSICAL BOOK & DIGITAL DELUXE--
You'll get a beautifully printed 64 Page copy of SHEPHERD plus a copy of the Digital Deluxe Edition of Shepherd! Not only will you get the book as a PDF as soon as it's completed, you'll get a look into the minds of two writers and an artist! With process work from Bruno, Firas, and I. This is where the fun is at!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 30 or more
About $28

BADGE PACK, PHYSICAL, and DIGITAL DELUXE--
Not only do you get a beautifully printed 64 Page copy of SHEPHERD and a copy of the Digital Deluxe, you'll also get a dope set of SHEPHERD badges, you can wear your love for Rom, Remmy, Jane, or Ritto on your sleeve!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 40 or more
About $37

ONE PRINT, BADGES, PHYSICAL, and DIGITAL DELUXE--
At this pledge level you'll be copping the awesome 64 Page copy of SHEPHERD, a copy of the Digital Deluxe, the dope set of badges and your choice of ONE of our four astonishing prints!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 50 or more
About $47

TWO PRINTS, BADGES, PHYSICAL, and DIGITAL DELUXE--
Feast your eyes on this pledge level! You'll be the proud owner of the breathtaking 64 Page copy of SHEPHERD, a copy of the Digital Deluxe, the dope set of badges and your choice of TWO of our amazing prints!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 70 or more
About $65

ALL PRINTS, BADGES, PHYSICAL, and DIGITAL DELUXE--
Right here is where you get the fantastic 64 Page print copy of SHEPHERD, a copy of the Digital Deluxe, the wonderful set of badges and ALL FOUR of our stellar prints!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 100 or more
About $93

HEAD SKETCH, BADGES, PHYSICAL, and DIGITAL DELUXE--
This reward tier will make you the lucky owner of a small sketch of your choice from our illustrious artist Bruno Oliveira! You'll also receive the 64 Page print copy of SHEPHERD, a copy of the Digital Deluxe, and a set of badges!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 150 or more
About $140

ORIGINAL ART--
If you would like to own a piece of art from SHEPHERD this is the tier for you. We'll send you one of Bruno's original pages for you to love and cherish forever. You'll also receive the 64 Page print copy of SHEPHERD, a copy of the Digital Deluxe, and a set of badges!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 150 or more
About $140

BE IN THE BOOK--
Have you ever seen a background character in a comic and thought "I could be that guy." Well, now you can! Bruno will draw you as a minor character in the story. Your character might even get to die! Neat! As well as being in the book you'll receive the 64 Page print copy of SHEPHERD, a copy of the Digital Deluxe, and a set of badges.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 200 or more
About $187

EVERYTHING--
This is the level that get's you the whole lot. (not including the retailer reward) You'll get The awesome print copy of SHEPHERD, the Digital Deluxe, the four Badges, the four Prints, a small sketch from Bruno, Original Art from the story, and you get to be IN the book.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 200 or more
About $187

MEET AND GREET-- You and a buddy can come hang out with Nic at the pub for a few hours, we can talk shop, movies, or sit their staring lovingly into each others eyes! You'll also get the PHYSICAL BOOK and the DIGITAL DELUXE. MUST Live in Sydney or be able to travel to Sydney. MUST be 18+ years of age... because beer.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 200 or more
About $187

TV or MOVIE SCRIPT REVIEW-- Firas has placed in several script comps for his sci-fi script 88 Dark and it's currently being looked at by Hollywood big wigs! And like a big wig, Firas wants to review your TV or Movie script! He'll give you some invaluable feedback and give you a few pointers on what to do with it next! You'll also get the PHYSICAL BOOK and the DIGITAL DELUXE. Script must not exceed 100 Pages.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 200 or more
About $187

COMIC SCRIPT REVIEW-- Nic has lettered work by some great comic writers like Marguerite Bennett, Paul Tobin, and Fabian Rangel Jr. He's also a pretty great writer himself! He'd love the chance to review your comic script! He'll give you some tips on formatting and story technique, as well as what to do with your script next! You'll also get the PHYSICAL BOOK and the DIGITAL DELUXE. Script must not exceed 40 pages.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 250 or more
About $233

ORIGINAL 11 x 17 SKETCH from Bruno Oliveira. The sketch will include YOU hanging out with your favourite character from Shepherd! Ever wondered what you'd look like in the 1930's? Find out here through the power of comics! You'll also get the PHYSICAL BOOK and the DIGITAL DELUXE.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge AU$ 1,200 or more
About $1,120

PERSONALISED COMIC-- Nic and Bruno want to create a story about you! Together you and Nic will discuss the stories premise, then Nic will create a 5 page script, Bruno will pencil and ink the story, and Nic will letter it. This shot will ONLY be included in YOUR physical copy of Shepherd! This means that you'll be the only person to have this in print! With your permission the story will be included with future digital releases of the book so other people can have the chance to enjoy you as much as I enjoy you. You'll also get the DIGITAL DELUXE.